What is eczema?

Eczema is a predisposition of the skin to become itchy and develop a red, scaly rash.

Eczema often runs in families and can be associated with allergies and asthma.

What are the symptoms of eczema?

Your child may have a dry, red rash that is itchy and scaly.

Your child’s rash will usually be in bending areas of the body such as on elbows, knees, wrists, and ankles. Eczema can occur anywhere, including on the face.

Home care

The key to treating eczema is avoiding the triggers that cause your child’s skin to itch.

Keep your child’s skin moist.

Dry air, especially in the winter, dries the skin.
Use a cool-mist humidifier to keep the air moist in your child’s room. Do not use a warm water humidifier because your child may be burned if the water is spilled.
Use a moisturizer for your child’s skin.
Bathe your child with a moisturizing soap (e.g. Basis for Dry Skin®, Dove®).
Do not use plain soap as it may dry the skin.
After bathing, pat your child’s skin with a towel. While your child’s skin is still moist, cover the dry or itchy areas with cream such as hydrated petrolatum (Eucerin®). Apply large amounts and rub it in well.
Wash your child’s clothes in a perfume-free liquid detergent instead of powdered detergents (so less detergent stays on clothes) and rinse well after washing.

Have your child wear loose cotton clothes and avoid wool clothes.

Avoid extremely warm showers and baths.

Keep your child’s fingernails clean and short.

Try to prevent your child from scratching (gloves or socks can be placed on her hands).

1% Hydrocortisone cream:

Rub the cream on dry, scaly areas of skin.
Apply immediately to any area of itchy skin.
Use twice a day for no more than one week at a time.
Stop using the medication, especially on the face, if the skin gets thin or develops small, streaky, red blood vessels.
Do not use any other type of steroid cream on the face.

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®):

This over-the-counter medicine when taken by mouth will help stop itching.
Do not use Caladryl® lotion with Benadryl® syrup as they both contain diphenhydramine. Using both medications at the same time may cause too much sleepiness.
It may make your child sleepy, although a few children will get hyperactive.
Take the medication according to package instructions.

Warning signs – Call our office for advice if:

Your child’s skin becomes swollen or bleeds, Call Our Office Now.

Your child has a red or purple rash that does not turn pale briefly when you press on it, Call Our Office Now.

Your child develops a fever, please refer to the fever page.

You have any questions or concerns, or if you have any doubts about the severity of your child’s symptoms, Call Our Office Now.